Research with purpose.

The faculty of the School of International Service pursue research that addresses urgent global issues through impact-driven scholarship. Our faculty body of over 120 world-class experts brings a wealth of international experience and a strong dedication to social impact, working across five thematic Departments and several research centers and initiatives. With scholars trained in fields including anthropology, geography, political science, economy, history and beyond, SIS leverages a rich diversity of disciplinary perspectives to generate new insights and inform practice. In a collaborative environment that fosters intellectual engagement and innovation, SIS empowers scholars and students alike to make a meaningful difference in global affairs through research that is not only pushing the boundaries of academic understanding but also deeply rooted in real-world application.

We hope you’ll take a moment to explore all of the exciting research projects, publications, and events happening at SIS.

Recent Highlights

Joseph Torigian, The Party's Interests Come First: The Life of Xi Zhongxun, Father of Xi Jinping

Jonathan Fox and Jeffrey Hallock, USAID's Locally-Led Development Agenda: Open Government and Independent Monitoring

Guy Ziv, Military Reservists and the Resistance To Netanyahu's Legal Overhaul

Upcoming Book Launches

In the Media

Op-Eds and News Interviews

Joseph Torigian, quoted in a review about his new book The Party's Interests Come First: "Persecuted by Mao, Xi’s Father Became a Reformer. Did Xi Reject His Legacy?" (New York Times)
Sharon Weiner, quoted in "In Deciding to Launch a Nuclear Strike, Humans Are Shockingly Suggestible" (Scientific American)
Joshua Rovner, interviewed in "Will the U.S. intelligence community be politicized?" (Good Authority)
Benjamin Jensen, "Ukraine’s Operation Spider Web destroyed more than aircraft – it tore apart the old idea that bases far behind the front lines are safe" (The Conversation)
Garret Martin, quoted in "Trump Set to Square Off With New German Chancellor Merz on Trade, Ukraine" (Newsweek)
Joseph Torigian, interviewed about his new book, "In 'The Party's Interests Come First,' Joseph Torigian tries to understand Xi Jinping through his father" (NPR)
Jim Goldgeier and Sarah B. Snyder, quoted in "These historians oversee unbiased accounts of U.S. foreign policy. Trump fired them all." (Washington Post)
Garret Martin, quoted in "Can Europe strike a deal with Trump before the deadline for 50% tariffs hits?" (The National News Desk)
Jordan Tama, "How Congress Can Shape America’s Use of Economic Sanctions" (Lawfare)
Joseph Torigian, interviewed about his new book The Party's Interests Come First, "How an agonising relationship with his dad shaped Xi Jinping" (The Economist)
Dana Fisher, "What We Lose When America Loses AmeriCorps" (Rolling Stone)
Sumitra Badrinathan, quoted in "How the Indian Media Amplified Falsehoods in the Drumbeat of War" (New York Times)
Guy Ziv, "A Deficit of Trust: Netanyahu’s Precarious Bet on Trump" (Italian Institute for International Political Studies)
Bob Koopman, quoted in "China remains defiant as White House floats softening steep tariffs in brutal trade war" (NBC15 News)

Podcasts and Media Interviews

Joseph Torigian on New Books Network: Joseph Torigian, "The Party’s Interests Come First: The Life of Xi Zhongxun, Father of Xi Jinping"
Jim Goldgeier on NPR's Morning Edition: "Trump fires historians who put together unbiased accounts of U.S. foreign policy"
Omekongo Dibinga on DC News Now: "Musk flips on Trump, ‘big, beautiful’ bill"
Joseph Torigian on BBC Radio discussing his new book, "The Party's Interests Come First: The Life of Xi Zhongxun, Father of Xi Jinping"
Omekongo Dibinga on DC News Now discussing Trump and the Constitution
Guy Ziv on Background Briefing with Ian Masters: "Netanyahu's Plan to "Capture" Gaza Is a Death Sentence For the Remaining Hostages"
Sarah Snyder on a Thessaloniki local news station discussing "Building Schools Abroad: American Expats as Informal Diplomats"
Jeff Bachman on Genocide Watch podcast: "What is Cultural Genocide?"
Angela Pashayan on Survey & Behond: "The Ethics of Field Research in Vulnerable Communities"
Joshua Rovner on The Academic Minute discussing his book "Strategy and Grand Strategy"
Boaz Atzili on NTD Television discussing the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal
Sarah Khan on BBC Urdu discussing the domestic and international political implications of a Trump presidency, including for Pakistan
Jim Goldgeier on E-International Relations' Thinking Global podcast: "James Goldgeier on US Foreign Policy After the 2024 Election"
Dana Fisher on Brookings' Climate Sense podcast: How does activism affect the climate debate?

Research

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